Home · Malacanthidae · Hedland tilefish
Hedland tilefish (Branchiostegus hedlandensis) — Malacanthidae

Hedland tilefish

Branchiostegus hedlandensis
Family: Malacanthidae

The Hedland tilefish (Branchiostegus hedlandensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Malacanthidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–204.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

Want the complete picture on the Hedland tilefish?

Get the app

Description

The Hedland tilefish is a tilefish (Malacanthidae) from sand and mud bottoms of deeper coastal water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, streamlined body with fine yellow-blue tints and long dorsal and anal fins. As a bottom-dweller it digs and occupies a burrow in soft sediment into which it darts when threatened and snaps at crustaceans, worms and small fish. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hedland tilefish?

The Hedland tilefish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Hedland tilefish live?

The Hedland tilefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Hedland tilefish get?

The Hedland tilefish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Hedland tilefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Hedland tilefish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Hedland tilefish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Hedland tilefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Hedland tilefish sourced
Scientific name
Branchiostegus hedlandensis
Family
Malacanthidae
Other names
Port Hedland tilefish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
204.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Branchiostegus

More from the family Malacanthidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Hedland tilefish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Hedland tilefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Hedland tilefish? Get the app